Professional Skills - Student Impact

1.5 EC

Semester 1 & 2, period 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

5224PSSI2Y

Owner Master Biological Sciences
Coordinator dr. Eleni Spyropoulou
Part of Master Earth Sciences, Master Biological Sciences, track Ecology and Evolution, Master Biological Sciences, track General Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Oncology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cognitive Neurobiology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Psychopharmacology and Pathophysiology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Infection and Immunity, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cell Biology and Advanced Microscopy, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Experimental Internal Medicine, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Molecular Neurosciences, Master Physics and Astronomy, Master Biological Sciences, track Freshwater and Marine Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Physiology of Synapses and Networks, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Developmental and Therapeutic Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Medical Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cardiovascular Sciences, year 1Master Quantum Computer Science, Master Biological Sciences, track Green Life Sciences, Master Computational Science (Joint Degree),
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Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

In this course you will write a project proposal in which you as a student contribute to a societal problem or activity using your academic knowledge and skills. You can propose to start a new activity within the Science Faculty or on the interface between the Science Faculty and society. For instance, you might want to improve your master or former bachelor programme, by working out ideas to reduce drop-out of first-generation students or newly enrolled master students, start new social activities etc. You will learn by doing. Use your creativity and skills to have impact on specific situations, by investigating, interviewing, intervening, analyzing, reporting, advising etc.

You start by formulating a rudimentary project plan and we will provide coaching sessions in which you shape your project proposal and discuss the progress. You will write a (personal) project plan within the time you have available (42 hours in total) and present it. 

Objectives

  • The student is able to integrate their academic knowledge and skills to a project dealing with a problem or activity in the interface between academia and society
  • The student is able to formulate a project proposal in line with the scope of the course
  • The student is able to reflect on the project process as well as their own learning process and outcomes
  • The student is able to collaborate and communicate with (multidisciplinary) team members and coach

Teaching methods

  • Self-study
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
  • Supervision/feedback meeting
  • Presentation/symposium

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

  

Presentation

2

  

Meetings

4-6

  

Feedback meetings

2-3

  

Self study

31-34

  

Total

42

(1.5 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    All sessions are planned on campus. Participation during the sessions is mandatory. 

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    You are assessed on your project proposal plan and reflection report. For this we use a rubric which results in a pass/fail for the course (min. 5,5).

    Assignments

    Final assignment:

    Project proposal and personal reflection report

    Presentation

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    You can perform your project in any time between 2 and the full 6 months of the semester.

    Set up course:

    2 introductory meetings (all students)

    2 or 3 coaching sessions (each group)

    1 groups meeting half-way (optional)

    presentation (all groups)

    Honours information

    The Professional Skills - Science connect credits do not count towards a cum laude degree.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. Eleni Spyropoulou